I was intrigued by that the first time I saw it on the shelf at WF. The beverage manager told me it wasn't really anything special, but I didn't believe him. I don't think I've tasted a beer that strong that promised such an intense hop experience that tasted so ordinary.

Had the Pyramid Outburst again last night. Very good DIPA, but I'm starting to get tired of it. Still have a couple left for when I get home from work, but I'm picking up something special to have after I finish those two. Hopefully there's still some Hopslam left. I'll chill one to drink tonight, then put the rest away to age for several weeks.

I was intrigued by that the first time I saw it on the shelf at WF. The beverage manager told me it wasn't really anything special, but I didn't believe him. I don't think I've tasted a beer that strong that promised such an intense hop experience that tasted so ordinary.

Had the Pyramid Outburst again last night. Very good DIPA, but I'm starting to get tired of it. Still have a couple left for when I get home from work, but I'm picking up something special to have after I finish those two. Hopefully there's still some Hopslam left. I'll chill one to drink tonight, then put the rest away to age for several weeks.

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I liked the palate wrecker but it definitely wasn't as over the top as the name implied. It was an incredibly full taste though.

Intuition Ale Works is bottling their first beer next weekend. Underdark, and oak aged imperial stout that is damn tasty. If I get an extra bottle or two I'll send it somebody's way if they want.

Got off work late all the way up in Hoffman Estates, almost an hour northwest of where I live. It was sleeting when I left, but turned to a "wintery mix." Got to Whole Foods in River Forest right before they closed hoping to pick up the Hopslam. Chris the beverage manager was there, but the Hopslam still wasn't. Said it would be in on Monday. I was distraught, but only for a few seconds. Three Floyds had a brand new offering out, Rye Da Tiger, a rye IIPA, I think it's about 10% ABV. I grabbed that immediately, then Chris said he was holding something special for me in the back and came out with a bottle of DFH 120. Bought both of those to cellar, then got a bottle of Unearthly to drink after I finish the last two bottles of Pyramid Outburst.

Starting to put together a nice little cellar. Let's see how my self control holds out.

Forgot how good the Southern Tier Unearthly was, never mind how strong it was. Shouldn't have had two beers before I drank this one. It's pitched high towards the alcohol side, but still has a distinctive hop profile. You know that you are engaged with alcohol when you drink this stuff. It's a "warmer," meaning a winter time brew that warms the body even when consumed at low temperatures. It's not for everyone, especially beer pu$$ies. If you like anything by Shocktop, stay home with the girls and stay away from this beer. Better yet, pick up some white zinfandel and all of you can have manicures and pedicures together. Then talk about girl stuff.

Forgot how good the Southern Tier Unearthly was, never mind how strong it was. Shouldn't have had two beers before I drank this one. It's pitched high towards the alcohol side, but still has a distinctive hop profile. You know that you are engaged with alcohol when you drink this stuff. It's a "warmer," meaning a winter time brew that warms the body even when consumed at low temperatures. It's not for everyone, especially beer pu$$ies. If you like anything by Shocktop, stay home with the girls and stay away from this beer. Better yet, pick up some white zinfandel and all of you can have manicures and pedicures together. Then talk about girl stuff.

Last night, I did a little Pliny vs Heady Topper vs Sucks competition. Heady won this round but was also the freshest. Started off with my last Pliny today and am now enjoying Bell's Hell Hath No Fury Ale. Not a bad BDSA.

Last night, I did a little Pliny vs Heady Topper vs Sucks competition. Heady won this round but was also the freshest. Started off with my last Pliny today and am now enjoying Bell's Hell Hath No Fury Ale. Not a bad BDSA.

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That wasn't a little competition. That was the craft beer Olympics. FWIW, the only one of those I've ever tasted is Sucks. Had it on tap about three weeks ago and it blew my mind.

Never had Hell Hath No Fury. Still waiting to pick up my Hopslam tomorrow.

Tonight I'm drinking Dubhe, Imperial Black IPA, brewed with hemp seeds. It's 9.7% ABV. Tasty, but the black IPAs are just a little too malty for the hops to come through. They're also a bit too much to enjoy with food. They're kind of a meal unto themselves.

Looking forward to trying the beers I have recently cellared, though all three are in single bottles, the two bombers of rye IPAs and the one bottle of DFH 120. Running to Whole Foods in the morning to get my Hopslam. Cellaring that as well, but with a six pack, it's going to be tempting to grab a bottle every now and then and see how it's aging. I need to find a place in the house where I can hide these from myself so I'm not thinking about them. Might put them in my daughter's closet once she flies back to college on Tuesday. Just have to make sure to get them out before spring break.

Just broke open my beer cellar to try the Three Floyds Rye da Tiger. Glad to say that it was not worth cellaring. Didn't even hold up to the bomber of Unearthly I drank earlier. Not enough substance, the hop and rye content was negligible. It was very pleasant drinking tonight, but would have been a waste as a cellar-able beer. I should have known seeing how clear and colorless the beer was. It's a pleasant beer right off the shelf, as are most 3floyds offerings. Glad I left room for the Hopslam I'm waiting for later in the week. Also looking forward to opening the Boulevard Rye on Rye i've got in the cellar. It's going to take some serious will power to stay away from the cellar. Got some good stuff in there. Hope to add to it. Actually thinking about abstaining completely for a couple of months while I concentrate on this new business venture I'm trying to get started. Might be kind of fun to collect and not drink for a few months.

Just did a barleywine tasting with the beer guys from the Florida Times Union. The consensus top 3 was the dogfish head old school, terrapin Jerome and spike barley rhyne, and stone old guardian. I personally also liked the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2012.